top 10 sociology phd programs

You would be well advised to consult as many faculty members as possible for feedback on your top school choices before applying to graduate school. Admission to graduate school is competitive, so apply to as many schools as possible; have your friends, family, and academic advisors look over your application materials; and if you receive letters of rejection, don't lose your sense of !

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Harvard is one of the world’s leading centers for training and mentoring the next generation of sociologists. The Department of Sociology offers several programs of graduate study leading to the Ph.D. in Sociology , the Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Policy , and the Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior .

The aim of the Graduate Program in Sociology is to prepare students for scholarly and applied research and for teaching in sociology. The program combines an emphasis on competence in social theory and research methods with opportunities for the development of each student's own interest.

Doctoral candidates are expected to achieve a solid proficiency in fundamentals that will enable them to teach basic and advanced sociology courses and engage in both quantitative and qualitative research. Students are trained in several sub fields of sociology in which the faculty has concentrations of expertise. Among these are social stratification and inequality (including race and ethnic relations), the study of complex organizations, economic sociology, political sociology, comparative/historical sociology, health and social policy, cultural analysis, urban sociology, criminology, and life course. The program includes a sequence of required courses on theory and theory construction, designed to acquaint every student with skills necessary for developing social explanations, and required courses in both qualitative methods and advanced statistics to familiarize students with techniques for collecting and analyzing data.

Sociology Faculty and Student Involvement in University Initiatives

For further information on the research topics that Harvard students have explored and the careers of some recent graduates, see Graduate Degrees Awarded .

Harvard Griffin GSAS does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry or any other protected classification.

Graduate Office

660 William James Hall

Office Hours (Fall 2023) Monday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (remote) Tuesday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (on campus) Wednesday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (on campus) Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (remote) Friday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (remote)

Email [email protected]

Phone 617.495.3813

Director  David Pedulla

Program Coordinator Jessica Matteson

Elena Ayala-Hurtado

Eun se baik, derick s. baum, matthew brooke, holly hummer, in jeong hwang, lauren taylor, joseph wallerstein.

Top 150 Universities Worldwide Offering PhD Programs in Sociology

Here’s an introduction to the top universities and colleges around the world where one can pursue a PhD in Sociology, detailing their program offerings, notable faculty, and distinctive features.

• Program Overview : Harvard’s Department of Sociology is renowned for its rigorous theoretical and empirical study in sociological issues. The PhD program emphasizes comprehensive training in sociological theories and methodologies.
• Notable Faculty : Michèle Lamont, Matthew Desmond, and Bruce Western.
• Unique Features : Students benefit from resources like the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and extensive interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Program Overview : The DPhil in Sociology at Oxford offers specialization in areas like social inequality, demography, and political sociology. It focuses heavily on quantitative methods.
• Notable Faculty : Federico Varese, Melinda Mills, and Craig R. Cohen.
• Unique Features : Oxford’s sociology department is known for its research centers, including the Centre for Time Use Research and the Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion.
• Program Overview : Stanford’s Sociology PhD program encourages the use of software and data analysis tools in research, with strong emphasis on empirical research.
• Notable Faculty : Michele Lamont, David Grusky, and Robb Willer.
• Unique Features : The program offers joint degrees in sociology and computer science, and a hands-on research experience with Silicon Valley.
• Program Overview : The PhD in Sociology at Cambridge allows students to conduct pioneering research in areas such as gender studies, global social change, and media and culture.
• Notable Faculty : Bryan S. Turner and Jochen Clasen.
• Unique Features : The university boasts specialized research groups in areas like public health and social inequality.
• Program Overview : Chicago’s sociology department is one of the oldest in the US and is known for developing the Chicago School of Sociology. The PhD program emphasizes substantial methodological and theoretical contributions to the field.
• Notable Faculty : Elisabeth S. Clemens and Omar McRoberts.
• Unique Features : Students are encouraged to engage with interdisciplinary research centers like the Urban Network.
• Program Overview : MIT’s sociology program is integrated within the Department of Urban Studies and Planning, offering a unique approach that combines sociology with urban planning.
• Notable Faculty : Ezra Zuckerman Sivan and Christine J. Walley.
• Unique Features : The program is notable for its focus on technology’s role in societal developments and data-driven sociological research.
• Program Overview : UC Berkeley’s PhD program in Sociology is famed for its critical studies and substantial academic rigor. It includes pathways like comparative sociology and the sociology of technology.
• Notable Faculty : Kim Voss and Raka Ray.
• Unique Features : The department frequently collaborates with other disciplines, offering broad exposure to different fields.
• Program Overview : LSE’s Sociology program offers a global perspective on sociological issues, emphasizing policy-oriented research that influences both academia and governance.
• Notable Faculty : Nigel Dodd and Mike Savage.
• Unique Features : The school hosts the British Journal of Sociology, one of the leading sociological journals globally.
• Program Overview : Yale’s Department of Sociology offers a PhD program focused on areas like social control, social movements, and labor markets.
• Notable Faculty : Julia Adams and Jeffrey Alexander.
• Unique Features : Yale provides extensive resources like the Center for Comparative Research and the Center for Cultural Sociology.
• Program Overview : The University of Tokyo offers a unique perspective on sociology, particularly in Asian contexts, with a strong focus on empirical research and social theory.
• Notable Faculty : Yoshimichi Sato and Takehiko Kariya.
• Unique Features : It provides a unique insight into the social dynamics of Asia, with a strong emphasis on Japan.
• Columbia University (USA)
• Program Overview : Columbia’s Department of Sociology offers a PhD program that emphasizes the development of methodological rigor and theoretical clarity, covering topics from urban sociology to political sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Shamus Khan and Vanessa Diaz.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its New York City location, which serves as a rich urban laboratory for sociological research.
• University of California, Los Angeles (USA)
• Program Overview : UCLA’s Sociology PhD program is known for its strength in areas such as race, ethnicity, and immigration, as well as global and transnational sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Darnell Hunt and Stefan Timmermans.
• Unique Features : The program offers unique interdisciplinary opportunities with other departments such as Asian American Studies and Gender Studies.
• University of Toronto (Canada)
• Program Overview : The University of Toronto offers a comprehensive PhD program in Sociology with a strong emphasis on quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Notable Faculty : Monica Boyd and Patricia Landolt.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its strong emphasis on social inequality and its multidisciplinary approach to research and education.
• Australian National University (Australia)
• Program Overview : ANU’s School of Sociology offers a PhD program that focuses on sociology of the environment, health, governance, and public policy.
• Notable Faculty : Kathryn Henne and Helen Keane.
• Unique Features : The program stands out for its research on sociological aspects of environmental change and policy.
• University of Amsterdam (Netherlands)
• Program Overview : The University of Amsterdam’s Sociology PhD program is robust, with specializations in urban studies, sociology of families, and social change.
• Notable Faculty : Giselinde Kuipers and Jan Willem Duyvendak.
• Unique Features : Known for its critical approach to sociological issues and its engagement with European societal challenges.
• National University of Singapore (Singapore)
• Program Overview : NUS offers a globally oriented PhD in Sociology, focusing on Asian societies and comparative sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Vineeta Sinha and Chua Beng Huat.
• Unique Features : The program provides an excellent platform for understanding the social dynamics in Asia, with a strong emphasis on fieldwork and empirical research.
• University of Michigan (USA)
• Program Overview : The PhD program at Michigan is known for its strong analytical and research methodology, covering a wide range of topics including social stratification and health and aging.
• Notable Faculty : Alford Young, Jr. and Elizabeth Armstrong.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from the Institute for Social Research, one of the world’s leading centers for the advancement of social science research.
• University of Edinburgh (Scotland)
• Program Overview : The University of Edinburgh offers a PhD in Sociology with strengths in digital sociology, social network analysis, and the sociology of science.
• Notable Faculty : Donald MacKenzie and Lynn Jamieson.
• Unique Features : The program is well-regarded for its research output and the critical approach to contemporary social issues.
• McGill University (Canada)
• Program Overview : McGill’s PhD program in Sociology places a strong emphasis on sociological theory and research methodologies with a focus on social inequality, gender studies, and urban sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Shelley Clark and Amélie Quesnel-Vallée.
• Unique Features : It offers a bilingual (English and French) research environment, providing a unique cultural perspective in sociological studies.
• Program Overview : UCT’s Sociology Department offers a PhD program that includes specializations in African sociology, social change, and urban studies.
• Notable Faculty : Jeremy Seekings and Nicoli Nattrass.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its focus on African social issues and its commitment to developing sociology within an African context.
• Princeton University (USA)
• Program Overview : Princeton’s Department of Sociology offers a PhD program known for its focus on social demography, sociology of culture, and political sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Paul Starr and Patricia Fernandez-Kelly.
• Unique Features : The program is renowned for its small, research-intensive environment that fosters close mentorship and collaboration.
• University of California, San Diego (USA)
• Program Overview : UCSD’s PhD program in Sociology specializes in the sociology of science, medicine, and technology, as well as inequality and social control.
• Notable Faculty : John Evans and Amy Binder.
• Unique Features : The department benefits from collaborations with the Science Studies Program and the Center for Comparative Immigration Studies.
• University of Manchester (UK)
• Program Overview : The University of Manchester offers a robust PhD program in Sociology, focusing on areas such as social statistics, health sociology, and media.
• Notable Faculty : Tarani Chandola and Bridget Byrne.
• Unique Features : The program is particularly strong in applied social research, providing students with opportunities to engage with real-world issues.
• University of Chicago (USA)
• Program Overview : Renowned for its contributions to sociological theory, the University of Chicago offers a comprehensive PhD program that covers a broad range of topics from urban sociology to the sociology of religion.
• Notable Faculty : Elisabeth Clemens and Omar McRoberts.
• Unique Features : The program encourages innovative, interdisciplinary research, often integrating methodologies from history, anthropology, and psychology.
• Leiden University (Netherlands)
• Program Overview : Leiden’s PhD program in Sociology is known for its focus on comparative sociology, social resilience, and globalization.
• Notable Faculty : Marcel Lubbers and Marianne van Bochove.
• Unique Features : The program offers a unique emphasis on global challenges and the societal impacts of historical and contemporary movements.
• University of Sydney (Australia)
• Program Overview : The University of Sydney offers a PhD in Sociology with strong emphasis on health, environment, and Asian social transformations.
• Notable Faculty : Alex Broom and Salvatore Babones.
• Unique Features : Its location provides a strategic advantage for studying Asia-Pacific societal trends and issues.
• University of British Columbia (Canada)
• Program Overview : UBC’s PhD in Sociology focuses on racial and ethnic inequality, environmental sociology, and social theory.
• Notable Faculty : Amin Ghaziani and Renisa Mawani.
• Unique Features : The department offers a rich interdisciplinary environment with close ties to the school’s public policy and global studies programs.
• University of California, Santa Barbara (USA)
• Program Overview : UCSB offers a dynamic PhD program in Sociology, noted for its strength in the sociology of gender, sexuality, and feminist theory.
• Notable Faculty : Verta Taylor and Kum-Kum Bhavnani.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its proximity to various interdisciplinary research centers, including the Center for Black Studies Research.
• University of Paris (France)
• Program Overview : The University of Paris provides a comprehensive PhD program in Sociology with strengths in social theory, sociology of labor, and European social policy.
• Notable Faculty : Laurent Lesnard and Monique Pinçon-Charlot.
• Unique Features : The program is characterized by its deep theoretical engagement and its emphasis on European societal issues.
• University of Melbourne (Australia)
• Program Overview : The University of Melbourne’s PhD program in Sociology excels in the study of digital societies, migration, and urban planning.
• Notable Faculty : Nikos Papastergiadis and Sarah Pink.
• Unique Features : The program encourages interdisciplinary research and has strong ties with the university’s architecture, urban planning, and media studies departments.
• New York University (USA)
• Program Overview : NYU’s Sociology PhD program is celebrated for its research on inequality, urban sociology, and social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Patrick Sharkey and Eric Klinenberg.
• Unique Features : The department offers excellent opportunities for field research in one of the world’s most dynamic urban environments.
• University of Oslo (Norway)
• Program Overview : The PhD program at the University of Oslo focuses on sociological theory, welfare studies, and migration.
• Notable Faculty : Katrine Fangen and Grete Brochmann.
• Unique Features : Its Nordic location provides a unique perspective on welfare and social policies that are model standards globally.
• Cornell University (USA)
• Program Overview : Cornell’s Sociology PhD program specializes in social inequality, demography, and labor relations.
• Notable Faculty : Kim Weeden and Victor Nee.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its association with the Cornell Population Center and the ILR School, enriching its labor and demographic research.
• University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
• Program Overview : The University of Hong Kong offers a PhD in Sociology with an emphasis on Asian and comparative sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Pun Ngai and Maggy Lee.
• Unique Features : The program’s location makes it a strategic site for studying social transformations in Greater China and Asia.
• University of Zurich (Switzerland)
• Program Overview : The University of Zurich’s PhD in Sociology is strong in the study of social networks, life course, and social inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Hans-Peter Blossfeld and Laura Bernardi.
• Unique Features : The department emphasizes quantitative methods and models in sociological research.
• University of São Paulo (Brazil)
• Program Overview : USP’s Sociology PhD program is well-regarded for its studies in social change, urban sociology, and political sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Maria Arminda do Nascimento Arruda and Glauco Arbix.
• Unique Features : The program offers a unique insight into Latin American social structures and dynamics.
• University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
• Program Overview : The University of Copenhagen offers a robust PhD program focusing on comparative welfare studies, environmental sociology, and the sociology of families.
• Notable Faculty : Morten Axel Pedersen and Annick Prieur.
• Unique Features : Its Scandinavian location provides a special focus on social policy and welfare systems.
• University of Wisconsin–Madison (USA)
• Program Overview : The PhD program at UW-Madison is known for its strong emphasis on American sociology, particularly in areas like community and environmental sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Erik Olin Wright and Pamela Oliver.
• Unique Features : The department is famous for its historical commitment to “Wisconsin School” sociology, which blends empirical research with critical theory.
• King’s College London (UK)
• Program Overview : King’s College offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on biopolitics, science and technology studies, and urban sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Deborah James and Mike Michael.
• Unique Features : The program is enriched by its central London location, which facilitates engagement with numerous cultural and political institutions.
• Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Germany)
• Program Overview : LMU Munich offers a PhD program that excels in the sociology of culture, social psychology, and the sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty : Armin Nassehi and Paula-Irene Villa.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches and is well-connected with various research institutes across Europe.
• University of Texas at Austin (USA)
• Program Overview : UT Austin’s Sociology PhD program focuses on areas like social inequality, health sociology, and education.
• Notable Faculty : Robert Crosnoe and Jennifer Glass.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong quantitative research emphasis and close ties to various research centers, including the Population Research Center.
• University of Pennsylvania (USA)
• Program Overview : Penn’s Sociology PhD program is noted for its strengths in demography, urban sociology, and sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty : Annette Lareau and Emilio Parrado.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from interdisciplinary connections with Penn’s schools of education, law, and business.
• Program Overview : The University of Amsterdam excels in critical sociology, focusing on areas such as gender studies, political sociology, and the sociology of migration.
• Notable Faculty : Jan Willem Duyvendak and Giselinde Kuipers.
• Unique Features : The program offers a rich interdisciplinary environment and access to extensive research networks across Europe.
• Program Overview : UBC’s PhD in Sociology focuses on social theory, environmental sociology, and the sociology of health.
• Notable Faculty : Neil Guppy and Renisa Mawani.
• Unique Features : The department encourages collaborative and interdisciplinary research across multiple faculties and institutes.
• Program Overview : The University of Melbourne offers a PhD program in sociology that is particularly strong in the sociology of media, urban sociology, and cultural studies.
• Notable Faculty : John Murphy and Lisa Adkins.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations, providing practical insights into sociological issues.
• Peking University (China)
• Program Overview : Peking University’s PhD program in Sociology is renowned for its focus on Chinese society, social stratification, and rural sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Sun Liping and Lu Xueyi.
• Unique Features : The program provides unique insights into Chinese social dynamics and offers extensive fieldwork opportunities across the country.
• Program Overview : The University of Zurich offers a strong program in economic sociology, the sociology of law, and social inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Hans-Peter Kohler and Marlis Buchmann.
• Unique Features : The department is known for its methodological rigor and strong statistical training.
• Seoul National University (South Korea)
• Program Overview : SNU’s Sociology PhD program specializes in Korean society, industrial sociology, and social change.
• Notable Faculty : Kyung-Sup Chang and Hagen Koo.
• Unique Features : The program provides deep insights into the dynamics of East Asian societies with a strong emphasis on empirical research.
• University of Munich (Germany)
• Program Overview : LMU’s Sociology PhD program covers social structure analysis, cultural sociology, and the sociology of religion.
• Notable Faculty : Armin Nassehi and Rudolf Stichweh.
• Unique Features : The program is well-regarded for its comprehensive theoretical training and strong European sociological tradition.
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (USA)
• Program Overview : UIUC’s Sociology PhD program is known for its research in labor markets, racial and ethnic inequality, and social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Zsuzsa Gille and Kevin Leicht.
• Unique Features : The program offers extensive resources such as the Survey Research Laboratory and the Illinois Qualitative Sociology Review.
• University of California, Irvine (USA)
• Program Overview : UCI’s Sociology PhD program is well-regarded for its focus on immigration, race and ethnicity, and social networks.
• Notable Faculty : Rubén G. Rumbaut and Frank D. Bean.
• Unique Features : The program encourages interdisciplinary research and is closely integrated with the Center for Demographic and Social Analysis.
• Program Overview : The University of Oslo offers a strong program in sociology of law, migration studies, and gender studies.
• Notable Faculty : Grete Brochmann and Willy Pedersen.
• Unique Features : The program provides a distinct Nordic perspective on social policies and welfare systems.
• Program Overview : McGill’s PhD in Sociology emphasizes social statistics, urban sociology, and global health.
• Unique Features : The program is notable for its bilingual research environment and strong international collaborations.
• Stockholm University (Sweden)
• Program Overview : Stockholm University’s PhD program in Sociology specializes in social demography, labor markets, and welfare studies.
• Notable Faculty : Sunnee Billingsley and Juho Härkönen.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from strong ties with various Swedish and European research institutes.
• University of Warwick (UK)
• Program Overview : Warwick’s Sociology department offers a PhD program that is well-known for its work on social theory, cultural sociology, and digital sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Akwugo Emejulu and Gurminder K. Bhambra.
• Unique Features : The department promotes interdisciplinary research initiatives and has a vibrant international student body.
• Program Overview : The University of São Paulo offers a comprehensive PhD in Sociology with strengths in political sociology, environmental sociology, and sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty : Sergio Miceli and Glauco Arbix.
• Unique Features : The program is particularly strong in its analysis of Brazilian and Latin American societies.
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (USA)
• Program Overview : U-M’s Sociology PhD program is known for its emphasis on social inequality, sociology of health, and population studies.
• Notable Faculty : Elizabeth Armstrong and Jeffrey Morenoff.
• Unique Features : The program is closely associated with the Institute for Social Research, one of the world’s leading centers for the advancement of social science research.
• Program Overview : Edinburgh’s Sociology PhD program focuses on digital society, social inequalities, and global health.
• Notable Faculty : Lynn Jamieson and Richard Sparks.
• Unique Features : The program offers a strong methodological foundation and access to Scottish social research networks.
• University of Delhi (India)
• Program Overview : The University of Delhi offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on Indian society, rural development, and social stratification.
• Notable Faculty : Anand Kumar and Vivek Kumar.
• Unique Features : The program provides in-depth insights into the complex social dynamics of South Asia.
• University of California, Davis (USA)
• Program Overview : UC Davis’ Sociology PhD program is particularly strong in the areas of environmental sociology, social movements, and sociology of agriculture.
• Notable Faculty : James Smith and Laura Grindstaff.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its proximity to various state and national policy-making bodies in California.
• University of Minnesota (USA)
• Program Overview : The University of Minnesota’s Sociology PhD program is well-regarded for its focus on inequality, demography, and global sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Douglas Hartmann and Elizabeth Wrigley-Field.
• Unique Features : The program is particularly strong in sociological research methods and offers extensive training in statistical analysis.
• University of Bristol (UK)
• Program Overview : Bristol’s Sociology department offers a PhD program that explores modern social problems through quantitative and qualitative research, particularly focusing on policy impact and social change.
• Notable Faculty : Tariq Modood and Mhairi Mackenzie.
• Unique Features : The department is part of several interdisciplinary research centers, fostering a vibrant academic community.
• Program Overview : NUS provides a PhD in Sociology with specialties in family and demography, religion, and multiculturalism in Asian contexts.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong emphasis on Asian societal issues and offers significant opportunities for regional research.
• Program Overview : The University of Sydney’s Sociology PhD program specializes in digital cultures, health, and social theory.
• Notable Faculty : Alex Broom and Amanda Wise.
• Unique Features : The program’s strength is its interdisciplinary approach and its emphasis on public sociology.
• Program Overview : The PhD in Sociology at the University of Copenhagen focuses on social exclusion, welfare studies, and the sociology of emotions.
• Notable Faculty : Margaretha Järvinen and Nils Holtug.
• Unique Features : The program offers a unique Scandinavian perspective on social welfare and policy studies.
• Program Overview : UCSB offers a Sociology PhD program that focuses on the sociology of gender, sexualities, and the environment.
• Notable Faculty : Verta Taylor and John Foran.
• Unique Features : The program is notable for its activist scholarship and commitment to social justice.
• Program Overview : LMU Munich’s PhD program covers a wide range of sociological fields, including the sociology of education, migration, and urban studies.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from Munich’s strong network of research institutions and its vibrant student life.
• University of Auckland (New Zealand)
• Program Overview : The University of Auckland offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on Pacific studies, social change, and urban sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Tracey McIntosh and Steve Matthewman.
• Unique Features : The program provides a unique insight into Pacific societies and is active in addressing urban and environmental issues in the region.
• Program Overview : Toronto’s PhD program in Sociology focuses on immigration, health studies, and social networks.
• Notable Faculty : Monica Boyd and Anna Korteweg.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from a highly diverse urban environment that serves as a living laboratory for sociological research.
• University of Illinois at Chicago (USA)
• Program Overview : UIC’s Sociology PhD program specializes in urban sociology, race and ethnic relations, and global social change.
• Notable Faculty : Maria Krysan and Claire Decoteau.
• Unique Features : The program offers an urban public research setting with strong community ties and a focus on applied sociology.
• University of Arizona (USA)
• Program Overview : The University of Arizona offers a PhD in Sociology with strong programs in environmental sociology, the sociology of health, and social networks.
• Notable Faculty : Jennifer Earl and Ronald Breiger.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its integration with other research units like the Institute of Environment and the School of Government and Public Policy.
• Program Overview : Manchester’s Sociology PhD program focuses on social inequalities, digital societies, and global health.
• Notable Faculty : Bridget Byrne and Nick Crossley.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from strong research networks and centers, particularly in health sociology and social statistics.
• Program Overview : UCSD offers a PhD in Sociology that is particularly strong in science and technology studies, sociology of culture, and comparative and historical sociology.
• Notable Faculty : John Skrentny and Amy Binder.
• Unique Features : The program encourages interdisciplinary research with strong ties to the Science Studies Program.
• Program Overview : The University of Oslo offers a PhD program specializing in the sociology of welfare and public policy, migration studies, and social theory.
• Unique Features : The program is noted for its Nordic perspective on social research and policy.
• University of Alberta (Canada)
• Program Overview : The University of Alberta’s PhD program in Sociology is recognized for its work in the sociology of family, health sociology, and environmental sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Lisa Strohschein and Harvey Krahn.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from close collaboration with the Population Research Laboratory.
• King’s College London (UK)
• Program Overview : King’s College offers a PhD program in Sociology with strong emphases on urban studies, biopolitics, and social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Deborah James and Mike Savage.
• Unique Features : The department is active in public sociology and engages with various social issues in metropolitan London.
• University of Colorado Boulder (USA)
• Program Overview : UC Boulder offers a Sociology PhD that focuses on environmental sociology, the sociology of emotions, and inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Lori Hunter and Leslie Irvine.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its commitment to public sociology and its strong environmental research focus.
• University of Cape Town (South Africa)
• Program Overview : UCT’s PhD program in Sociology specializes in African sociology, social change, and urban studies.
• Unique Features : The program provides a critical perspective on social issues affecting Africa, with a strong emphasis on social justice and transformation.
• University of Vienna (Austria)
• Program Overview : The University of Vienna offers a PhD in Sociology focusing on social integration, migration, and European societies.
• Notable Faculty : Christian Fleck and Ulrike Felt.
• Unique Features : The program offers a strong foundation in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, with a European focus.
• University of New South Wales (Australia)
• Program Overview : UNSW’s PhD program in Sociology is known for its research on social policy, health sociology, and globalization.
• Notable Faculty : Deborah Lupton and Martin Holt.
• Unique Features : The program encourages an interdisciplinary approach and has strong ties with the Social Policy Research Centre.
• University of Leiden (Netherlands)
• Program Overview : Leiden University’s Sociology PhD program is recognized for its strong focus on cultural sociology, globalization, and social cohesion.
• Notable Faculty : Marcel Lubbers and Evelien Tonkens.
• Unique Features : The program offers a broad international perspective, with extensive opportunities for collaborative research across Europe.
• University of Florida (USA)
• Program Overview : The University of Florida offers a PhD in Sociology with specialties in criminology, environmental sociology, and race and ethnicity.
• Notable Faculty : Joe Feagin and Tanya Koropeckyj-Cox.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong methodological training and for fostering interdisciplinary research across various academic units.
• Program Overview : Warwick’s Sociology department provides a PhD program focusing on social theory, digital sociology, and international development.
• Notable Faculty : Nickie Charles and Maria do Mar Pereira.
• Unique Features : The program is part of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies, offering innovative approaches to sociological research.
• University of Groningen (Netherlands)
• Program Overview : The University of Groningen’s Sociology PhD program specializes in social networks, population studies, and social justice.
• Notable Faculty : Rafael Wittek and Melinda Mills.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from the university’s strong emphasis on quantitative methods and its leading role in social network analysis in Europe.
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (USA)
• Program Overview : UNC Chapel Hill’s Sociology PhD program is well-known for its research in social movements, health sociology, and social inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Andrew Perrin and Lisa Pearce.
• Unique Features : The program fosters a collaborative research environment with access to numerous interdisciplinary research centers.
• Program Overview : The University of Zurich offers a PhD in Sociology with a strong emphasis on social networks, life course studies, and social stratification.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its methodological rigor and excellent statistical training.
• Program Overview : UIC’s Sociology PhD program specializes in urban sociology, social movements, and global and transnational issues.
• Notable Faculty : Saskia Sassen and Claire Decoteau.
• Unique Features : The program’s urban setting offers rich opportunities for field research in one of America’s largest cities.
• University of Queensland (Australia)
• Program Overview : The University of Queensland offers a PhD program in sociology focusing on social change, health sociology, and the sociology of gender.
• Notable Faculty : Gert Stulp and Claudio V. Torres.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong ties to various research institutes, providing ample opportunities for practical engagement.
• University of California, Santa Cruz (USA)
• Program Overview : UC Santa Cruz’s Sociology PhD program is noted for its critical approach to global and social issues including social justice, environmental change, and race and ethnic studies.
• Notable Faculty : Herman Gray and Jenny Reardon.
• Unique Features : The program is uniquely positioned to integrate sociological research with issues of technology and social justice.
• Program Overview : The University of Edinburgh offers a PhD in Sociology that focuses on culture and creativity, social inequalities, and the sociology of families.
• Notable Faculty : Lynn Jamieson and Gillian Rose.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its historical and cultural context, providing a rich backdrop for sociological research.
• Program Overview : The University of Amsterdam offers a PhD in Sociology with a focus on urban studies, migration, and social networks.
• Unique Features : The program is especially strong in European social research and offers rich opportunities for cross-national studies.
• Ohio State University (USA)
• Program Overview : OSU’s Sociology PhD program is recognized for its research in social stratification, race and ethnicity, and demography.
• Notable Faculty : Vincent Roscigno and Claudia Buchmann.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from affiliations with multiple research centers, including the Institute for Population Research.
• University of Stockholm (Sweden)
• Program Overview : Stockholm University offers a PhD program that specializes in welfare research, labor market studies, and social policy.
• Notable Faculty : Magnus Bygren and Sunnee Billingsley.
• Unique Features : The program’s Nordic setting provides a unique perspective on welfare state dynamics and social policies.
• University of California, Berkeley (USA)
• Program Overview : UC Berkeley’s Sociology PhD program is known for its strong emphasis on theoretical and empirical research in areas like social inequality, political sociology, and organizational behavior.
• Notable Faculty : Kim Voss and Irene Bloemraad.
• Unique Features : The program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration with other departments and research institutes.
• Program Overview : LMU Munich’s PhD program covers a broad range of sociological fields, including sociology of religion, migration studies, and social structures.
• Unique Features : The program is noted for its critical theoretical approaches and strong European sociological tradition.
• Program Overview : UT Austin offers a Sociology PhD program focusing on areas such as family dynamics, social psychology, and health sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Robert Crosnoe and Debra Umberson.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong quantitative research orientation and its interdisciplinary collaborations across campus.
• Program Overview : UBC’s Sociology PhD program is recognized for its work in areas such as gender studies, environmental sociology, and racial and ethnic relations.
• Unique Features : The program encourages collaborative and interdisciplinary research, particularly with its ties to the Institute for Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice.
• Program Overview : The University of Copenhagen offers a PhD in Sociology with strong emphases on quantitative methods, migration studies, and social theory.
• Notable Faculty : Nils Holtug and Christian Albrekt Larsen.
• Unique Features : The program benefits from its Scandinavian context, which is known for its innovative social research and welfare studies.
• Rutgers University (USA)
• Program Overview : Rutgers’ Sociology PhD program offers specialties in health sociology, social movements, and race and ethnicity.
• Notable Faculty : Patricia Roos and Lee Clarke.
• Unique Features : The program is highly interdisciplinary and benefits from proximity to diverse urban environments for empirical research.
• Program Overview : The University of Queensland’s Sociology PhD program focuses on social change, digital media, and environmental sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Greg Marston and Xiaoying Qi.
• Unique Features : The program offers strong links with government and non-government organizations, enhancing practical engagement and policy impact.
• Focus : Family and demography, religion, multiculturalism.
• Notable Faculty : Vineeta Sinha, Chua Beng Huat.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes Asian societal issues and offers significant opportunities for regional research.
• Focus : Chinese society, social stratification, rural sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Sun Liping, Lu Xueyi.
• Tsinghua University (China)
• Focus : Urban sociology, social policy, inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Guo Yuhua, Shen Yuan.
• Unique Features : The program integrates urban studies with social policy, providing a comprehensive approach to understanding contemporary Chinese society.
• University of Tokyo (Japan)
• Focus : Social theory, empirical research, social dynamics in Asia.
• Notable Faculty : Yoshimichi Sato, Takehiko Kariya.
• Unique Features : The program offers strong interdisciplinary collaboration and extensive research opportunities in Asian social issues.
• Kyoto University (Japan)
• Focus : Comparative sociology, cultural studies, social change.
• Notable Faculty : Jun Ikeno, Shigeto Sonoda.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes a comparative approach, integrating cultural studies with social change in Asian contexts.
• Focus : Korean society, industrial sociology, social change.
• Notable Faculty : Kyung-Sup Chang, Hagen Koo.
• Unique Features : The program provides deep insights into East Asian societies with a strong emphasis on empirical research.
• Chinese University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
• Focus : Migration, social stratification, family studies.
• Notable Faculty : Ray Yep, Alvin So.
• Unique Features : The program offers a rich blend of theoretical and applied research, with a focus on migration and social change in Greater China.
• Fudan University (China)
• Focus : Urban studies, economic sociology, social policy.
• Notable Faculty : Gu Xin, Wu Xiaogang.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong urban studies component and its integration with economic sociology.
• Focus : Comparative sociology, public policy, social research methods.
• Notable Faculty : Pun Ngai, Maggy Lee.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its focus on public policy and its robust methodological training.
• Jawaharlal Nehru University (India)
• Focus : Indian society, social movements, development sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Anand Kumar, Vivek Kumar.
• Unique Features : The program is renowned for its critical approach to development sociology and its focus on social movements in India.
• National Taiwan University (Taiwan)
• Focus : Political sociology, cultural sociology, social networks.
• Notable Faculty : Wei-hsin Yu, Chin-Chun Yi.
• Unique Features : The program offers a unique perspective on Taiwanese and East Asian societies, with strong international research collaborations.
• University of Malaya (Malaysia)
• Focus : Ethnicity, development studies, sociology of religion.
• Notable Faculty : Syed Farid Alatas, Abdul Rahman Embong.
• Unique Features : The program provides in-depth insights into Malaysian society, with a focus on ethnic relations and development.
• Yonsei University (South Korea)
• Focus : Social change, family sociology, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Hyunjoon Park, Eun Mee Kim.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes empirical research and offers strong interdisciplinary collaboration with other social sciences.
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India)
• Focus : Sociology of technology, urban sociology, social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Arup Maharatna, Anagha Tambe.
• Unique Features : The program combines technological studies with sociological research, providing a unique interdisciplinary approach.
• Korea University (South Korea)
• Focus : Social stratification, education, labor studies.
• Notable Faculty : Chul-Kyoo Kim, Yean-Ju Lee.
• Unique Features : The program is well-regarded for its strong focus on social inequalities and labor market research.
• University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines)
• Focus : Development sociology, gender studies, cultural sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Ricardo Jose, Teresa Encarnacion Tadem.
• Unique Features : The program offers a strong emphasis on Philippine society and culture, with extensive fieldwork opportunities.
• City University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
• Focus : Urban sociology, migration, social policy.
• Notable Faculty : Ray Forrest, Linda Wong.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its focus on urban studies and social policy, providing a comprehensive understanding of contemporary social issues in Hong Kong.
• Zhejiang University (China)
• Focus : Rural sociology, social development, family studies.
• Notable Faculty : Wu Xu, Zhang Weiying.
• Unique Features : The program offers unique insights into rural development and social change in China, with a strong focus on empirical research.
• Osaka University (Japan)
• Focus : Sociology of education, social networks, cultural studies.
• Notable Faculty : Hiroshi Ishida, Yuko Tsukamoto.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes cross-cultural studies and social network analysis, providing a broad understanding of sociological issues in Japan.
• University of Indonesia (Indonesia)
• Focus : Urbanization, social policy, gender studies.
• Notable Faculty : Iwan Pranoto, Wening Udasmoro.
• Unique Features : The program provides a comprehensive approach to understanding urbanization and social policy in Indonesia, with a strong focus on gender studies.
• Focus : African sociology, social change, urban studies.
• Notable Faculty : Jeremy Seekings, Nicoli Nattrass.
• University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
• Focus : Development sociology, labor studies, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Vishwas Satgar, Devan Pillay.
• Unique Features : The program is renowned for its focus on development issues and labor studies in the African context.
• Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
• Focus : Social inequality, rural sociology, sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty : Lindy Heinecken, Cherryl Walker.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes rural sociology and educational research, providing unique insights into South African society.
• University of Nairobi (Kenya)
• Focus : Development studies, urbanization, gender studies.
• Notable Faculty : Karuti Kanyinga, Winnie Mitullah.
• Unique Features : The program offers a strong emphasis on development and urbanization issues in East Africa, with a focus on gender studies.
• Makerere University (Uganda)
• Focus : Social policy, rural development, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Edward Kirumira, Josephine Ahikire.
• Unique Features : The program is well-regarded for its research on rural development and social policy in Uganda.
• University of Ghana (Ghana)
• Focus : Sociology of development, social stratification, migration studies.
• Notable Faculty : Nana Apt, Akosua Adomako Ampofo.
• Unique Features : The program provides in-depth research opportunities in West African social issues, with a strong emphasis on development and migration.
• University of Ibadan (Nigeria)
• Focus : Development sociology, gender studies, health sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Olabisi Aina, Olayinka Omigbodun.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its strong focus on development and health issues in Nigeria, providing a critical perspective on African social dynamics.
• University of Botswana (Botswana)
• Notable Faculty : Lydia Nyati-Ramahobo, Joseph Tlou.
• Unique Features : The program offers a comprehensive approach to understanding urbanization and social policy in Botswana, with a strong focus on gender studies.
• Cairo University (Egypt)
• Focus : Urban studies, social policy, family studies.
• Notable Faculty : Ahmed Zayed, Heba Raouf Ezzat.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its strong emphasis on urban issues and family dynamics in the Middle Eastern context.
• University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
• Focus : Development studies, rural sociology, social change.
• Notable Faculty : Nuhu Hatibu Senkoro, Martha Qorro.
• Unique Features : The program offers a deep understanding of social change and development issues specific to East Africa.
• Focus : Social change, urban sociology, political sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Maria Arminda do Nascimento Arruda, Glauco Arbix.
• Unique Features : The program offers unique insights into Brazilian social structures and urban dynamics.
• Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (Chile)
• Focus : Social policy, development sociology, cultural studies.
• Notable Faculty : Eduardo Valenzuela, Teresa Matus.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes applied sociology and public policy, with a strong focus on Chilean and Latin American contexts.
• University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)
• Focus : Urban studies, labor sociology, social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Gabriel Kessler, Maristella Svampa.
• Unique Features : The program is known for its critical approach to social movements and labor issues in Argentina.
• Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
• Focus : Environmental sociology, urban sociology, social inequality.
• Notable Faculty : Michel Misse, Moema Miranda.
• Unique Features : The program provides comprehensive training in environmental and urban sociology, focusing on social inequalities in Brazil.
• University of the Andes (Colombia)
• Focus : Social policy, conflict studies, cultural sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Rodrigo Uprimny, Angelika Rettberg.
• Unique Features : The program offers a strong focus on conflict resolution and social policy in Colombia and Latin America.
• Federal University of Minas Gerais (Brazil)
• Focus : Development sociology, rural sociology, sociology of education.
• Notable Faculty : Heloisa Salles Pereira, Luciana Andrade.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes rural development and educational research, providing unique insights into Brazilian society.
• National University of San Marcos (Peru)
• Focus : Social change, indigenous studies, urbanization.
• Notable Faculty : Rolando Ames, Isabel Coral Cordero.
• Unique Features : The program provides a critical perspective on indigenous issues and urbanization in Peru.
• Federal University of Bahia (Brazil)
• Focus : Cultural studies, race and ethnicity, social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Jocélio Teles dos Santos, Marilene Corrêa.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its focus on cultural studies and race relations in Brazil.
• Central University of Venezuela (Venezuela)
• Focus : Social policy, development studies, political sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Margarita López Maya, Hector Briceño.
• Unique Features : The program provides extensive research opportunities in social policy and development within the Venezuelan context.
• University of Santiago (Chile)
• Focus : Sociology of education, urban studies, social change.
• Notable Faculty : José Joaquín Brunner, Manuel Antonio Garretón.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes educational research and urban sociology, offering a comprehensive understanding of social change in Chile.
• Thammasat University (Thailand)
• Focus : Development studies, political sociology, social movements.
• Notable Faculty : Chaiwat Satha-Anand, Thanet Aphornsuvan.
• Unique Features : The program offers critical insights into Southeast Asian development issues and political movements.
• Chulalongkorn University (Thailand)
• Focus : Cultural sociology, social inequality, urban studies.
• Notable Faculty : Naruemon Thabchumpon, Chalidaporn Songsamphan.
• Unique Features : The program emphasizes cultural and urban studies with a focus on social inequalities in Thailand.
• University of Colombo (Sri Lanka)
• Focus : Post-conflict studies, development sociology, migration.
• Notable Faculty : Siri Hettige, Premakumara de Silva.
• Unique Features : The program is distinguished by its focus on post-conflict societal issues and development in Sri Lanka.
• Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel)
• Focus : Social stratification, sociology of religion, migration.
• Notable Faculty : Vered Kraus, Moshe Semyonov.
• Unique Features : The program provides a comprehensive approach to social stratification and migration studies, particularly in the Middle Eastern context.
• University of Haifa (Israel)
• Focus : Peace and conflict studies, social networks, cultural sociology.
• Notable Faculty : Gad Barzilai, Ayala Emmett.
• Unique Features : The program offers unique insights into peace and conflict resolution, with a strong emphasis on social network analysis.

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Our faculty encourages you to become a creative independent researcher. During your graduate career, you will read broadly across fields and generate work that is theoretically, empirically, and analytically rigorous. The program provides advanced training in quantitative and qualitative research methods as well as mixed methods.

Students in the program have conducted research on a variety of projects, including investigating food insecurity in Atlanta, the social effects of climate change, and community policing in a public housing project.

The program has an excellent placement record with graduates securing faculty positions at institutions such as Stanford University, Yale School of Management, Harvard Business School, University of Chicago, and University of Toronto. Others have gone on to non-academic careers at organizations such as The Urban Institute, Abt Associates, and Facebook.

Related Programs

Students considering the PhD program in sociology may also be interested in the PhD programs in Sociology and Social Policy or Organizational Behavior , both of which are offered jointly with the Department of Sociology . Students who wish to apply to one of these programs in addition to the PhD program in sociology may do so.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Sociology and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Admissions Requirements

Please review the admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Sociology .

Writing Sample

A writing sample is required as part of the application and should be a term paper, senior thesis, master’s essay, or similar written work. Citations and references are not included in the page limit.

Personal Statement

Standardized tests.

GRE General: Required

Theses and Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Sociology

See list of Sociology faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

Undergraduate Program

Sociology is the study of society, of the social frameworks within which we live our lives. It is a study of social life at every level, from two-person relationships to the rise and fall of nations and civilizations. Sociology nurtures question formation and critical thinking through its mixed-methods approach, encompassing quantitative analysis, ethnography, interviews, historical and comparative studies, computer-based analysis, and theoretical explorations. Through their methodologically diverse coursework, students learn how to apply sociological theories and methods to real-world issues.

Sociologists are often concerned with intellectual questions relating to the distribution of resources in society and to social organization. The graduate program in sociology aims to contribute to society by providing students the training and tools to take up these questions. The program aims to produce creative and intellectually independent researchers who read broadly across fields, who generate work that is theoretically, empirically, and analytically rigorous, who exhibit collegiality as scholars, and who excel as teachers and communicators.

 UNDERGRAD       GRAD       ALUMNI 

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Ph.D. in Sociology

ONLINE APPLICATION APPLY NOW

about OUR PROGRAM

Ranked among the top 10 programs in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report), the UCI graduate program in sociology offers students six years of guaranteed funding .

Scholars in the department have a proven record of earning competitive research funding from national agencies including the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health; from private foundations including the Russell Sage Foundation and Grant Foundation; and from campus-level fellowships, such as the Public Impact, Fletcher Jones, and Chancellor's Club fellowships.

Faculty in the department publish regularly in the field's top academic journals, and graduate students have incredible opportunities to publish alongside them.

And if that wasn't enough, the UCI campus is located less than 10 miles from Newport Beach, is the #1 university doing the most for the American dream ( New York Times College Access Index ), and a top 10 best value university ( Princeton Review ). And USA Today College ranked UCI the #8 best place to earn a sociology degree while U.S. News & World Report ranks UCI sociology #9 among public university programs in the U.S.

Learn more about sociology at UCI...

university committed to economic diversity and upward mobility - New York Times College Access Index

best value university - Princeton Review

best public sociology program in the U.S. - U.S. News & World Report

public university in the U.S. - U.S. News & World Report

LOCATION Campus is located less than 10 miles from Newport Beach.  

FUNDING Admitted students receive 6 years of guaranteed funding.  

METHODOLOGY Quantitative, qualitative, and multi-method approaches to social issues.  

DEGREE Ph.D.; a master's degree may be earned while in pursuit of the Ph.D.  

ENROLLMENT Full-time, on-campus with housing.    

SPECIALIZATION The department offers a dozen areas in which graduate students can focus their studies.

JOB PLACEMENTS

Boston University

Harvard University

RAND Corporation

Tulane University

University College London

UNC Chapel Hill

University of Tokyo

University of Washington

U.S. Census Bureau

Read more about alumni job placements...

  A top 10-ranked program with research strengths in population, family, immigration and inequality.  

what makes us

  UCI sociology is internationally recognized for research and training that supports studies across the spectrum of quantitative, qualitative, and multi-method approaches to social issues. Research specialties within the department include:

• Economy, inequality, labor, and organizations
• Gender and family
• Global inequality and change
• Immigration
• Political sociology
• Social movements
• Race and ethnicity
• Social networks

Sociology faculty contribute not only to the department and the wider field but also to the campus's interdisciplinary units, providing leadership and core faculty to the institutes and centers. Students have an opportunity to earn a master's degree while in pursuit of their Ph.D., and are encouraged to enroll in interdisciplinary coursework.

Alumni have entered tenure-track positions at top research universities, highly competitive post-doctoral positions, and research-oriented jobs in both the public and private sectors.

In short, graduate students in sociology at UCI join a vibrant, collegial, rigorous academic program, with instruction from leading experts in the field, and a collaborative atmosphere that fosters success.

So what are you waiting for?

APPLY TODAY

If full funding, opportunities to publish, and a proven track record of excellence in the field are what you’re looking for in a graduate program, contact us today to learn more about UCI sociology.  

UCI Department of Sociology

Online Application

Department Chair

David John Frank   [email protected]  949.824.1117

Co-Graduate Director

Edwin Amenta   [email protected]  949.824.6800

Wang Feng   [email protected]  949.824.1417

Graduate Advisor

Jennifer Gerson   [email protected]  949.824.4074

connect with us

© UC Irvine School of Social Sciences - 3151 Social Sciences Plaza, Irvine, CA 92697-5100 - 949.824.2766

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Explore brown university.

Ph.D. Program in Sociology

Director of Graduate Studies: Emily Rauscher

The Department of Sociology at Brown University offers outstanding doctoral training. Our graduate student community is small, enabling students to have fulfilling mentoring relationships with faculty and to collaborate meaningfully on research and teaching. Due to this advantage, we have partnerships with research centers and institutes across campus, including the Population Studies and Training Center (PSTC), the Watson Institute for International Studies , the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society , Spatial Structures in the Social Sciences (S4) and Urban Studies , among others. As a result, Brown graduates have an outstanding record of research, publications, and professional accomplishment. The Department of Sociology through the Graduate School offers incoming doctoral students five years of guaranteed financial support , including a stipend and health and dental insurance subsidies, through mechanisms including fellowships, traineeships, and teaching and research assistantships.

For details, please see the Ph.D. Graduate Student Handbook .

For program information, please see the Ph.D. Program Flyer .

Department of Sociology

• PhD Requirements
• Application and Admissions
• Graduate Courses
• Graduate Concentrations
• Joint Program with Applied Mathematics & Statistics

The department’s primary educational goal is to train first-class sociology PhDs. The sociology graduate experience at Johns Hopkins is best characterized as a research apprenticeship – a careful blend of formal instruction, faculty-directed individual study, and supervised yet self-initiated research. The department’s small size and specific concentrations yield a personalized course of study and close relationships with faculty members and fellow graduate students. The social climate is informal, and the mix of students and faculty, all drawn from a wide variety of geographic and social backgrounds, constitutes a rewarding intellectual community.

Students must complete the program requirements , which include a core curriculum, elective courses, a research apprenticeship, a teaching assistantship, a residency, and a dissertation.

While not required, students may choose a graduate concentration :

• The Program on Global Social Change concentration focuses on cross-national, comparative research, and log-term, world scale social change
• The Program on Social Inequality concentration focuses on the causes and consequences of social inequality, the social processes that sustain it, and how social policies can reduce it

For students looking to acquire advanced statistical knowledge and applied research skills, the department also offers a joint program with the Whiting School of Engineering’s Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Graduates of the program will earn a PhD in sociology and an MA or MSE in applied mathematics and statistics.

Sociology, PhD

Zanvyl krieger school of arts and sciences.

The department’s primary educational goal is to train first-class sociology Ph.D. students. The sociology graduate experience at Johns Hopkins University is best characterized as a research apprenticeship – a careful blend of formal instruction, faculty-directed individual study, and supervised as well as self-initiated research. The department’s small size and specific focus areas yield a personalized course of study and close relationships with faculty members and fellow graduate students. The social climate is informal, and the mix of students and faculty, drawn from a wide variety of geographic and social backgrounds, constitutes a rewarding intellectual community. For more details, please visit http://soc.jhu.edu/graduate/ .

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit an application fee, personal statement, all college transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a sample of written work. International applicants must also submit a TOEFL score and a financial statement (FS-1G Form: Graduate International Student Notification [F-1/J-1]). GRE scores are optional. Applicants should have a broad background in social science, especially sociology, economics, and psychology. Training in mathematics is encouraged. The department gives greatest weight to an applicant’s demonstrated ability and past performance. For more details, please visit http://soc.jhu.edu/graduate/admissions/ .

Program Requirements

This fall semester course is taken during the first year. Faculty presentations introduce students to the substantive interests, research and professional background of the sociology faculty. It is graded pass/fail.

To count toward degree requirements, core curriculum courses other than the Proseminar (which is graded Pass/Fail) and the Trial Paper Research series of courses must be passed with a grade of B- or higher. After the core course requirement is satisfied, additional methods courses from the list above may be used to fulfill the five-elective course requirement.

In addition to the core curriculum, graduate students must enroll in five additional graduate-level courses. At least four of the five electives must be JHU Sociology department courses. Up to four of the five electives may be fulfilled by a combination of:

• credit awarded for previous graduate coursework that predates matriculation at JHU;
• courses taken outside the department that are permissible under the Handbook rules and with the Departmental advisor’s approval;
• and one directed research and independent study courses within the Department.

All must be passed with a grade of B- or higher. While students are free to select these courses, the department strongly recommends that they be taken from diverse fields of specializations so as to maximize the breadth of exposure to core areas of sociology and other disciplines.

Teaching Assistantships

As part of their preparation for future academic work, graduate students are required to register for  AS.230.811 Teaching Assistantship  and serve as a teaching assistant for at least one semester.

Foreign Language

The Sociology Department no longer requires certification of fluency in a foreign language as part of the Ph.D. requirements. Students should be proactive in gaining the language skills necessary to conduct their TRP and dissertation research, and should work closely with their advisor to determine whether additional language education is needed.

A minimum of two consecutive semesters of full-time residence is mandatory for all degrees. However, at least six semesters of full-time residence is recommended by the department for completion of the core curriculum, electives, and completion of a research apprenticeship and a trial research paper. By the end of the fourth year in the program, the student is expected to have written a dissertation proposal and have defended it successfully before the appropriate examining committees.

Research Assistantship/Apprenticeship

AS.230.801 Research Assistantship  and AS.230.804 Research Apprenticeship

Students are required to develop practical research expertise through professional-level participation (data analysis, literature searches/reviews, non-routine data processing or coding, preparation and refinement of research instruments, and data/file management). This requirement is fulfilled by satisfactorily completing a Research Apprenticeship, which is required during the student’s first year of full-time graduate study in the department. The standard for certification is substantial research accomplishment as judged by the faculty supervisor.

Trial Research Paper

( AS.230.685 TRP Seminar I , AS.230.690 TRP Seminar II , AS.230.815 Trial Research Paper I , AS.230.816 Trial Research Paper II , AS.230.817 Trial Research Paper III )

Students begin working on a Trial Research Paper (TRP) no later than the spring semester of their second year. The TRP affords students the experience of planning and executing a research project that leads to a publishable quality paper. The TRP is expected to be a serious, complete work of scholarship, suitable for conference presentation or journal submission. Whether or not the topic of the TRP is similar to that of the eventual dissertation, we believe all students will benefit from going through this exercise before planning for the dissertation.

By the end of the fall semester of their second year, students should invite a faculty TRP advisor to supervise the design and execution of the TRP project. Regular or adjunct faculty members whose positions entitle them to serve as dissertation advisors are eligible to serve as faculty TRP advisors. Work on the TRP generally will be done over three semesters. In order to facilitate progress on the TRP, students register for courses that are meant to consist of one-on-one meetings with their TRP advisor (TRP I, AS.230.815 Trial Research Paper I in the spring of your second year, TRP II, AS.230.816 Trial Research Paper II in the fall of your third year, and TRP III, AS.230.817 Trial Research Paper III in the spring of your third year.)

In order to facilitate student progress on the TRP, the department has also introduced two required TRP seminars, for which all students register in the spring of their second and third year. These are:   AS.230.685 TRP Seminar I (spring of second year) & AS.230.690 TRP Seminar II (spring of third year). These courses will be graded pass/fail and will not count toward the fulfillment of the elective courses required for the Ph.D.

A TRP proposal must be approved by the faculty TRP advisor by the end of the spring semester of the second year. By the end of the fall semester of the third year, the TRP advisor must approve a draft of the paper which will then be reviewed by another department faculty member. The TRP advisor, at their discretion, may extend this deadline to the end of the intersession period following the fall semester. The faculty reviewer will evaluate the paper and, if necessary, recommend revisions that should be made before the paper is certified. The TRP advisor will determine required revisions and must certify a final TRP by the end of the spring semester of the third year.

Dissertation

The student must propose and conduct original research presented in a dissertation suitable for publication. The department administers an oral examination which must be passed before the student is allowed to defend before a university board. The dissertation must then be defended either at a Graduate Board preliminary oral examination, based on the dissertation proposal, or at a Graduate Board final oral examination, based on the completed dissertation.

Special Programs

The department offers two special programs that coordinate activities in its two focus areas. Doctoral students may affiliate with one or both of these programs at their discretion. These programs function as fields of doctoral specialization within the Department of Sociology.

Program on Global Social Change (PGSC)

This focus area of graduate study focuses on cross-national, comparative research and long-term, world-scale social change. The goal of the program is to give students knowledge of the various theoretical perspectives in these areas, experience in data collection and analysis, and expertise in one or more substantive fields.

The program does not focus on a particular geographic area, although faculty members have conducted extensive research on Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Instead of a geographical approach, the emphasis is on issues of development and social change that cut across different countries and world regions. Examples are globalization and regionalization, labor and development, city systems and urban primacy, social movements and revolutions, state violence, migration and labor force formation, family structure and change, social structure and personality, and national and international stratification. Students enroll in a sequence of courses and seminars and participate actively in ongoing faculty projects dealing with one or more of the above issues.

In addition, the interdisciplinary character of graduate education at Johns Hopkins University offers students ample opportunity to enroll in courses or collaborate in research of faculty in other departments. Faculty associates of the program include distinguished scholars in anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, and public health.

A graduate focus area is not required of Ph.D. students.

Program on Social Inequality (PSI)

This focus area of graduate study focuses on the causes and consequences of social inequality, the social processes that sustain it, and how social policies can reduce it. These questions are addressed in terms of class, gender, race, ethnicity, and immigration status/citizenship.

The program is designed to train students in the sociological analysis of social inequality among individuals and groups. This training includes course work in areas such as social stratification, the sociology of the family, the sociology of education, sociology of immigration, social structure and personality, social policy, and research design and methods. Students in the PSI program enroll in a sequence of courses and seminars and participate actively in ongoing faculty projects dealing with one or more of the above issues.

In addition, the interdisciplinary character of graduate education at Johns Hopkins University offers students ample opportunity to enroll in courses or collaborate in research with faculty in other departments. Faculty associates of the program include distinguished scholars in anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, and public health.

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Graduate program.

Program Description

The doctoral program in sociology prepares students for careers in research and teaching.  While most of our graduates teach in colleges and universities, others hold research appointments in government agencies, think tanks, tech companines, health centers, consulting firms, and non-profit organizations.

Graduate student work is oriented to one or more of the following departmental clusters: Comparative and Historical Sociology; Culture/Knowledge; Economic Sociology and Organizations; Family/Gender/Sexuality; Global, Regional and Transnational Sociology;  Health, Medicine, and Biosocial Interactions; Law and Criminology; Methods; Political Sociology and Social Movements; Race and Ethnicity; Religion; Social Networks; Social Stratification; Theory.

Graduate students in the department often affiliate with one or more workshops, programs and centers during their time in the department.  Some of the available centers and workshops include: Center for Cultural Sociology (CCS); Center for Empirical Research on Stratification and Inequality (CERSI);  Center for Historical Enquiry and the Social Sciences (CHESS); Comparative Research Workshop (CRW); Human Nature Lab (HNL); MacMillan Center Initiative on Religion, Politics, and Society ; Urban Ethnography Project  (UEP);  Yale Institute for Network Science (YINS).

Director of Graduate Studies

Jonathan Wyrtzen

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• PhD in Sociology

The Sociology PhD program trains future scholars in the fundamental skills of the discipline of sociology. Students will acquire advanced knowledge of sociological theory and research in their chosen areas of specialization within the discipline in order to make a significant and original contribution to the field. Graduates of the program are prepared to take up teaching and research positions in academia or beyond. Applicants should have at least a bachelor’s degree in any discipline; a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in sociology is preferable but not required.

Learning Outcomes

• Produce and defend an original significant contribution to sociological knowledge.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material.
• Be able to conduct scholarly activities in a professional and ethical manner.
• Be able to teach undergraduates.

Course Requirements

Candidates admitted to the PhD program must complete 16 courses, including 5 required and 11 elective courses (64 units).

Basic requirements (5 courses for a total of 20 units):

• CAS SO 701 Advanced Sociological Theory (Classical)
• CAS SO 702 Proseminar: Sociological Methods
• CAS SO 708 Contemporary Sociological Theory
• CAS SO 712 Qualitative Methods (or an approved course in qualitative methods in the social sciences)
• CAS SO 724 Quantitative Methods in Sociological Analysis* (or an equivalent Graduate Programs Committee–approved advanced quantitative methods course)

Strongly encouraged (two 2-unit courses run over two terms for a total of 4 units):

• CAS SO 951 and SO 952 Professionalization Workshop

Elective courses (11 courses, can include SO 951 and SO 952, for a total of 44 units)

The CAS SO 701 and SO 702 required courses should be completed in the first year of study. All first-year students are also strongly encouraged to register for CAS SO 951 and SO 952. The student’s remaining coursework should be chosen in conjunction with their advisor. Please consult the Department of Sociology Graduate Student Handbook for further details.

Language Requirement

There is no foreign language requirement for this degree.

Qualifying Requirements

After all courses are complete but before students write their Dissertation Prospectus, they must first meet two qualifying requirements. For each of two subfields of Sociology, students must complete either a: (1) critical essay, (2) critical exam, or (3) research paper suitable for submission to a scholarly journal. Each product shall demonstrate intellectual mastery of theories, concepts, methods, and research in the discipline. Students should select a format for each subfield in consultation with their advisor. Upon completion and approval of each paper, exam, or critical essay, the work is defended in a Comprehensive Oral Examination.

The oral examination will primarily cover the fields in the critical essay and research paper, but it may also cover other substantive, methodological, or theoretical material from the students’ coursework.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

Candidates shall demonstrate their abilities for independent study in a dissertation representing original research or creative scholarship. A prospectus for the dissertation must be completed and approved by the readers, the director of graduate studies, and the department chair/program director. Candidates must undergo a final oral examination in which they defend their dissertation as a valuable contribution to knowledge in their field and demonstrate a mastery of their field of specialization in relation to their dissertation. All portions of the dissertation and final oral examination must be completed as outlined in the GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree and the Graduate Student Handbook .

Students who choose to withdraw from the PhD program and graduate with a terminal MA in Sociology must complete all of the requirements of the MA program , including the minimum 8 graduate-level courses (32 units) and the master’s thesis on a project of original research. Students should consult the Graduate Student Handbook for additional details about required courses for the MA program.

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• Sociology Department Page
• MA in Sociology
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2024 Best Sociology Schools

Choosing a great sociology school, pick your sociology degree level, best schools for sociology in the united states, 25 top schools in sociology.

There were roughly 33 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Teachers College in the most recent data year. Those sociology students who get their degree from Teachers College at Columbia University earn $31,871 more than the typical sociology student.

There were roughly 43 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year. Those sociology students who get their degree from University of Pennsylvania earn $12,250 more than the average sociology graduate.

Learn to analyze social factors and become an advocate for individual and community health with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

There were roughly 40 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent year we have data available.

There were approximately 55 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Stanford in the most recent year we have data available.

There were about 40 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Rice in the most recent year we have data available.

There were about 50 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Duke in the most recent data year. Sociology degree recipients from Duke University receive an earnings boost of around $28,939 over the typical income of sociology majors.

There were approximately 94 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent data year. Those sociology students who get their degree from Columbia University in the City of New York receive $21,956 more than the typical sociology student.

There were approximately 64 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Princeton in the most recent year we have data available. Sociology degree recipients from Princeton University receive an earnings boost of around $13,483 above the average income of sociology graduates.

There were approximately 67 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent data year.

There were approximately 48 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available. Those sociology students who get their degree from Northwestern University make $9,716 more than the average sociology graduate.

There were roughly 65 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the sociology major at Harvard University get $26,859 above the typical graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

There were about 300 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Those sociology students who get their degree from University of California - Berkeley make $31,135 more than the standard sociology grad.

There were about 48 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt in the most recent year we have data available.

There were approximately 713 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduation, sociology degree recipients generally earn about $32,675 in their early careers.

There were approximately 54 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Notre Dame in the most recent data year.

There were approximately 61 sociology students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the sociology program at University of Southern California get $5,684 more than the average college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

There were roughly 31 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent data year. Sociology degree recipients from Dartmouth College receive an earnings boost of approximately $18,441 over the typical earnings of sociology majors.

There were roughly 253 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Sociology degree recipients from University of Washington - Seattle Campus receive an earnings boost of approximately $4,532 above the typical income of sociology graduates.

There were roughly 119 sociology students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. Those sociology students who get their degree from University of Wisconsin - Madison receive $6,354 more than the standard sociology grad.

There were approximately 23 sociology students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent data year.

There were approximately 27 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent year we have data available.

There were roughly 89 sociology students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the sociology program at New York University make $10,648 above the standard college grad in this field shortly after graduation.

There were approximately 76 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, sociology degree recipients generally earn an average of $32,205 at the beginning of their careers.

There were about 55 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent data year. After graduating, sociology degree recipients usually make an average of $30,166 in their early careers.

There were about 215 sociology students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent data year. Sociology degree recipients from Virginia Tech get an earnings boost of around $4,221 above the typical income of sociology majors.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Sociology Schools

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Associate degrees in sociology, master's degrees in sociology, best value in sociology, best for non-traditional students in sociology, best online in sociology, most popular online in sociology, bachelor's degrees in sociology, doctor's degrees in sociology, highest paid grads in sociology, best for veterans in sociology, most popular in sociology, most focused in sociology, sociology related rankings by major, sociology focus areas.

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Sociology JD/PhD 

Stanford Law School and the Department of Sociology share more than a common interest in sociolegal scholarship: Both are ranked among the top academic departments in their respective fields. The high quality of both institutions distinguishes Stanford's JD/PhD program from those offered by other universities. Stanford is also the only university where a commitment to fostering sociolegal scholarship has been translated into a truly joint JD/PhD program.

Requirements

Upon admission, students may begin study in either the law school or the department of sociology. Students must complete their first full year of graduate study in one program and their second full year in the other. Thereafter, students may divide their time between programs to suit their individual course of research and graduate training. Students must satisfy the requirements for both the JD and the PhD degrees. Up to 54 quarter units of approved coursework may be counted towards both degrees, but no more than 31 quarter units of courses that originate outside the Law school may count towards the Law degree. The Law degree may be conferred upon completion of applicable law school requirements; it is not necessary to have both degrees conferred simultaneously. Students participating in the joint degree program are not eligible to transfer and receive credit for a master's or another degree towards the Ph.D. Students must complete the equivalent of 183 quarter units to complete both degrees. These provisions dramatically reduce requirements, increase flexibility, and make Stanford's a true joint degree program.

Additional Requirements

In addition to coursework, Students must complete additional requirements for each program.  Complete Sociology PhD requirements and include at least three quarters of Teaching Assistantship, three-quarters of Research Assistantship, and successful completion of a doctoral dissertation.  For additional requirements for the JD degree, see the  Stanford Law Schoo l website.

Students who are accepted into the JD/PhD Program in Law and Sociology will typically pay for only two semesters of law school tuition – a savings of approximately $50,000 (compared, for example, to programs at other top-ranked law schools that require students to pay for five semesters of law school tuition), and will receive nearly a full year of credit toward the law degree from approved sociology coursework. Through a combination of fellowships, research, and teaching assistantships; the Department of Sociology currently provides full tuition, stipends, and funds to support research for six academic years of graduate-level study in sociology to each student admitted to the PhD program. Thus, students admitted to the joint program will generally pay no tuition beyond the first year of law school, and will receive a stipend for six additional years of study in the law school and the sociology department.

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The course catalog is constantly evolving. For detailed information about this year's course offerings, please visit Graduate Announcements .

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Study Postgraduate

Phd in sociology (2024 entry).

Course code

30 September 2024

3-4 years full-time; Up to 7 years part-time

Qualification

University of Warwick

Find out more about our PhD in Sociology.

The PhD in Sociology offers a broad span of research areas and expertise. From gender and sexuality to markets and capitalism, Warwick's Sociology department, ranked 9th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2022), has an active and exciting research culture where you will receive specialist training.

Course overview

The doctoral programme in Sociology provides access to a vibrant and welcoming community of international researchers and supports you in developing your independent sociological research project.

As well as being part of an active and exciting research culture, you will receive specialist training in undertaking doctoral study at the beginning of your course and dedicated and expert supervision throughout.

Teaching and learning

All first year PhD students undertake a two-term course called Research Process and Research Design. Provided by the Department, this course supports students with the fundamentals of PhD study and life and prepares them for their upgrade from MPhil to PhD. All doctoral students have access to dedicated PhD study rooms with computers and printers.

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements.

A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Sociology or a related subject; a strong research proposal.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirements Link opens in a new window . This course requires the following:

• IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page Link opens in a new window .

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Our research

Research within our department covers a broad span of the discipline and is organised into three main themes:

• Economy, Technology, Expertise
• Inequalities and Social Change
• Justice, Authority and the Geopolitical

The Department hosts the Social Theory Centre and the Centre for the Study of Women and Gender.

We have considerable expertise in areas such as:

• Gender and sexuality studies
• Social and cultural theory
• Race and racism
• Criminology
• Work and employment
• Political sociology
• Markets and capitalism
• Methodologies

Full details of our research interests are listed on the Sociology web pages Link opens in a new window .

You can also read our general University research proposal guidance.

Find a supervisor

Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.

Explore our Sociology Staff Directory.

You can also see our general University guidance about finding a supervisor.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your research course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our  Module Catalogue  (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

Scholarships and financial support

Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.

Sociology Funding Opportunities

Find out more about the various funding opportunities that are available in our department.

Living costs

Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.

Sociology at Warwick

We have an international reputation for research excellence, a global and cosmopolitan perspective, and high-quality teaching. Our curriculum offers a comprehensive and up-to-date foundation with a diverse range of specialist options.

What does it mean to understand the world in which you live? What will your contribution be to this changing world? How do your own experiences and life chances compare to those of others?

Sociology – the study of humans in society – attempts to capture the rich variety and complexity of human social life. Indeed, it is difficult to think of any area of social existence that a sociologist wouldn’t be interested in examining, from the most intimate of personal relationships to the worldwide circulation of ideas, beliefs, products and people.

Find out more about us on our website. Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate courses

• Gender and International Development (MA)
• Gender and Sexuality (MA)
• Social and Political Thought (MA)
• Social Inequalities and Research Methods (MSc)
• Sociology (MA)
• Sociology (PhD)
• Women's and Gender Studies (PhD)

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

For research courses that start in September and October 2024 the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2024. This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK.

How to apply for a postgraduate research course  

After you’ve applied

Find out how we process your application.

Applicant Portal

Track your application and update your details.

Admissions statement

See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.

Join a live chat

Ask questions and engage with Warwick.

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Postgraduate fairs.

Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.

Join a live chat with our staff and students, who are here to answer your questions and help you learn more about postgraduate life at Warwick. You can join our general drop-in sessions or talk to your prospective department and student services.

Departmental events

Some academic departments hold events for specific postgraduate programmes, these are fantastic opportunities to learn more about Warwick and your chosen department and course.

See our online departmental events

Warwick Talk and Tours

A Warwick talk and tour lasts around two hours and consists of an overview presentation from one of our Recruitment Officers covering the key features, facilities and activities that make Warwick a leading institution. The talk is followed by a campus tour which is the perfect way to view campus, with a current student guiding you around the key areas on campus.

Connect with us

Learn more about Postgraduate study at the University of Warwick.

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history .

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

9th in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2024) Link opens in a new window

69th in the world Link opens in a new window (QS World University Rankings 2025) Link opens in a new window

6th most targeted university by the UK's top 100 graduate employers Link opens in a new window

(The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd. Link opens in a new window )

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2024 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

• Washington State University

College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Sociology

Through the study of social life, you’ll learn how to answer the questions of why and how humans group together to form societies as well as the role of individuals within society. 

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Degree Types:

Bachelor's

Certificate.

• Consistently ranked one of the top programs in the nation 
• Participate in undergraduate research guided by renowned faculty 
• Internship and study abroad opportunities

With a Sociology degree, you can work in:  

• Social work and counseling 
• Probation and corrections 
• Program support and recruiting 
• Business management and human resources 
• Education support for at-risk populations 
• Marketing and public relations 
• Financial and statistical analysis 
• Government and nonprofit agencies 

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WSU accepts credit from Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and CLEP exams, associate degrees, Running Start and more.  

You’re considered a transfer student at WSU if you’ve received college credit post-high school.  

Use our Transfer Course Search Tool to determine what courses you need to take at your current institution to transition to WSU smoothly. 

Admission to WSU and admission to your desired major are two separate processes. Contact your academic department for specific requirements and prerequisites unique to your major.   

Scholarships

Complete the General Scholarship Application to be eligible for 700+ WSU scholarship programs, including ones specifically for a major you’re interested in. Use our search tool to find more scholarships outside WSU.  

Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid) to be considered for scholarships, grants, loans, and other forms of aid. 

Internships, Jobs, and Work-study

Find hundreds of student-friendly jobs, internships, and work-study opportunities with our WSU student job board, Handshake. You can also check with departments for internships specific to a major. 

Get advice and learn more at the Academic Success and Career Center.  

Dig Deeper Find out more about a degree in Sociology

Degree Options

Doctor of philosophy in sociology, sustainable organizational leadership.

Contact your personal admission counselor

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Related Degrees & Majors

Anthropology

Comparative Ethnic Studies

Criminal Justice and Criminology

Human Biology

Human Development

Political Science

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U-M places in top 10 rankings among graduate programs

By Dana Elger Public Affairs

• Campus News

The U.S. News & World Report has finalized its 2024 Graduate School rankings for medicine, law and engineering following an earlier release of the 2024 rankings.

The College of Engineering was ranked No. 9 on the list of best engineering graduate schools.

MORE INFORMATION

• U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools

Some other potentially noteworthy College of Engineering rankings in the top 5 were:

• Nuclear engineering (1).
• Industrial/systems engineering (2).
• Environmental engineering (2).
• Civil engineering (5).

Like many other peers, U-M’s law and medical schools did not participate in the U.S. News data collection for the 2024 or upcoming 2025 editions.

For the 2024 edition, more than 50 of the nearly 200 institutions did not participate in the statistical survey for law school rankings, although all schools were still ranked, with U-M’s Law School ranked No. 9. Ninety-two of the 196 institutions, including the U-M Medical School, did not participate in the statistical survey for medical school rankings and were therefore unranked.

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• U.S. News & World Report releases latest graduate rankings

The April 9 release of the graduate program rankings did not include engineering, medicine, law or clinical psychology programs, with the publication stating it was delaying the release of that information so it could “appropriately address queries from participating graduate schools.” The clinical psychology rankings are now expected next year.

Here’s a snapshot of U-M’s rankings that are part of this year’s announcement:

• The School of Social Work ranked No. 1.
• The College of Pharmacy ranked No. 2.
• The Marsal Family School of Education ranked No. 3.  
• The Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy ranked No. 4. 
• The School of Public Health ranked No. 5.
• The School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program ranked No. 8, and its master’s degree program ranked No. 7.
• The Stephen M. Ross School of Business ranked No. 12.
• College of Engineering
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How did Raygun qualify for the Olympics? Is she really the best Australia has to offer?

Since Australian breaker Rachael "Raygun" Gunn failed to score a single point in any of her Olympic bouts, many have asked how she qualified for the Games.

Fellow breaker and anthropologist Lucas Marie says she won her qualification "fair and square" last year, but African American man Malik Dixon has criticised the Olympic body for letting her in.

What's next?

Breaking will not be an event at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games — a decision made before Raygun's performance.

The 2024 Paris Olympics marked breaking's debut as a sport at the global event, with 36-year-old lecturer and breaker Rachael "Raygun" Gunn representing Australia for the first time.

Having failed to win a single point in any of her Olympic bouts, Raygun quickly became a viral sensation.

The question on many people's minds now is: How did she even qualify?

Lucas Marie is a breaker who has competed, performed, taught and judged breaking competitions over the past 25 years. He's also an anthropologist who recently co-authored an article with Gunn.

He says the answer to that question is simple.

"There was an Oceania qualifier in which any B-boy or B-girl from Australia [or] New Zealand could enter, and that was in Sydney in October 2023," he told ABC News.

"And leading up to that, there were a lot of other events in which breakers were competing.

"She won those battles fair and square and won the qualification in Sydney.

"And it wasn't really a surprise to anyone. 

"She's been fairly consistent, winning or coming second or third at a lot of breaking events in Australia for the last five to 10 years."

Marie said there was nothing out of the ordinary about Raygun's performance.

"It's not like gymnastics where there's this kind of agreed-upon standard," he said.

"It's always had a rawness to it. It's always had an improvisational kind of quality. And I think looking different and trying different stuff has always been celebrated.

"And I think Raygun, in a way, was just expressing a core kind of hip hop trait in a way a lot of breakers do."

He described her efforts as bold.

"I thought — and this is how I judge a lot of breaking events — I thought, 'Oh, she's making some really interesting choices to mimic Australian animals.' And you can kind of see the choices that she's making in the moment."

Is she the best Australia has to offer?

Team Australia chef de mission Anna Meares insisted after Raygun's performance that she was the best breaker the country had to offer. But is this true?

"It's sometimes just who's performing better on the day," Marie said.

"And at the qualification event in which she won, and other events in which she's won, she performed better on that day and won the ticket.

"That doesn't mean she's the best. It doesn't really work like that.

"I think she's a great breaker. She won the qualification. She's won other events in the past, and she was a good representative for Australia at that competition."

Asked whether there were B-girls in Perth, regional Victoria or rural Brisbane who might have qualified but could not afford to travel to Sydney for the tryouts, Marie agreed this was possible.

"Of course, there's breakers all over the country that maybe should have been in that event, but they weren't."

Breaking will not carry over to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, a decision made before Raygun's battle.

Marie described this as sad.

"Maybe, based on the ratings, they'll reassess that and maybe allocate some medals to breaking," he said.

"I really hope that's the case, and I hope that for other breakers who want to compete in it as a dance sport."

Marie said that at the end of the day people should remember they were dealing with a human.

"As a friend of Rachael's, there's a human being who's getting a lot of negative attention," he said.

"I think people kind of miss that sometimes and forget the human aspect of all this."

'Toying with the culture'

Malik Dixon is an African American who has been living in Australia for more than a decade and is a Sydney University graduate.

He said Raygun made a total "mockery" out of breaking at the Olympics.

"She was dressed like a member of the cricket team or an Australian PE teacher, and from that point it just seemed like satire," Mr Dixon told ABC News.

"It just looked like somebody who was toying with the culture and didn't know how culturally significant it was being the first time in the Olympics and just how important it was to people who really cherish hip hop and one of the elements of hip hop, which is breakdancing.

"It made me think, was Borat her breakdancing coach?"

Mr Dixon said too many people felt entitled to African American culture.

"The African American space has been one where we've shared our community so much and without any restraints, any barriers, roadblocks, obstacles, any gatekeepers, that essentially what should have been African American cultural capital is just shared, which is cool," he said. 

"We like to share, right? 

"We shared 400 years of free labour.

"To see Rachael in her attempt to be a part of the culture just be grossly underwhelming made it seem like she didn't take it seriously."

Olympics body criticised for Raygun qualification

Mr Dixon criticised the body that qualified Raygun, saying she devalued breaking with her performance.

"Whatever governing body nominated her as Australia's entrant into the Olympics either did not understand the assignment or didn't really believe in the integrity or significance of breakdancing, because if they did they would just say, rather than disrespect the culture, we're just not ready to send an applicant this year."

He said Raygun was extremely audacious and not self-aware.

"You've got to know your role, know your position, know your limitation," he said. 

"And I think that part of privilege is saying that there are no limits to what I can do. 

"Part of privilege is having the authority to say that there are no limits and there are no requirements, there are no prerequisites to what I can do."

Raygun's degrees do not hold much water with Mr Dixon.

"Due to consumerism, this Foundational Black American product, which is hip hop, is global," he said.

"And even people who have no connection to any African Americans or any local or regional things that come out in these songs, they have become a part of the whole experience now.

"If I came in and said that I was an authority on Greek music and I was going against the grain of what the mainstream Greek musicians thought, or the school of thought, and I've said that I was the authority, people would check me on that.

"If I had a PhD in sprinting, does that qualify me to go against Noah Lyles? No, it doesn't."

He also doubts Raygun was the best breaker Australia had to offer.

"[There's] got to be somebody out here that's better than that! The kangaroo! The sprinkler! She did the sprinkler out there, man!" he said.

Should everybody just lighten up?

Should we lighten up? Mr Dixon does not believe so.

"Larrikinism is used as a get-out-of-jail-free card and to escape responsibility of how words or actions impact a hurt person," he said.

"But when the majority culture is offended, there's no playing around.

"This is a part of my culture, and I don't think Australians are in a place to tell me how I should feel about breakdancing being mocked on an international stage.

"People who don't have any or limited access to black people or hip hop culture now may see Rachael and her buffoonery as a representation of hip hop and black culture.

"People who were already side-eyeing breakdancing as an Olympic sport, Rachael Gunn has put the nail in that coffin.

"This might be the most viral clip of the whole Olympics. From a comedy standpoint, she's got it, but from an Olympics perspective, its regressive."

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